Although Thanksgiving is not a Costa Rican holiday, it widely celebrated among the country’s expat community, especially in the Central Valley. A few weeks prior to the festivities the the Automercado (the county’s grocery store with the most products from the U.S.) begins to sell Thanksgiving related products: frozen turkeys, Stove Top Stuffing, cranberry sauce and all of the other goodies. Several casinos, hotels and restaurants which cater to Americans host their annual thanksgiving dinners. When my son was younger we used to go to the Marriot Hotel’s annual Thanksgiving buffet. It has to be seen to believed. They used to have a separate room for all of the desserts!

Many expatriates host Thanksgiving dinners for their friends and families. For the last six years I have attended my friend Joe Brennan’s annual party at his home overlooking San Rafael de Heredia. On an average about 40 or 50 Americans and their Costa Rican friends and family show up for Joe’s dinner party. Everyone brings something so there is more than enough food to go around. I really look forward to visiting Joe every year.

This year I was doubly blessed. I was also invited to a second dinner on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. My old neighbors Dan and Geri Spitzer invited about 25 close friends and neighbors to their home in Lagunilla de Heredia. The food was delicious and the I enjoyed reminiscing with all of my old friends and neighbors.

As you can see, if you decide to relocate or retire in Costa Rica you won’t miss out on many of the activities and holidays from home. There are hundreds of interesting things to do like the one I mentioned above to stay busy and happy in Costa Rica.